Durham daily recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1886-188?, 1887-11-15
AN APOLOGY.
EDITOR DAILY RECORDER:


apd afterwards copied by other lead
ing labor papers North and South
there appeared certain strictnret
upon the firm Of W. Duke Sons a
Co., and Main Street M. E. Church
After careful and plenary inyestigA'
tion am satisfied that said article
did gl eat injustice to the above named
firm and church, and | feel it to be
my duty, regardless ofwhat q few So
called friends may think, to make
this public Acknowledgement Of my
error, and aolicit the pardon Of all
parties directly or indirectly agriev.
ed by said article. The matter has
been, heavy burden on my con
science ever since its occurrence,
and confess that it has caused me
quite a struggle with false pride to
obtain the consent of my mind to
take this step; but, thank God, | have
gained the mastery over the devil,
who suggested that this apology
should be made IN quiet, private
way. But | feel that an Unjust in.
fuence and impression has been en-
gendered, which cannot be met and
.ounteracted through the means sug-
gested by our common energy. Whilst
there may have been abuses in the
Duke Factory, and all others, as to
that matter, yet am satisfied that
said abuses have been not only greatly
exaggerated, but existed without the
knowledge or consent of the Messrs.
Dukes. I am further satisfied that
nowhere in America, so far as my
knowledge permits me to judge, are
employees treated with more kind
ness than is shown by the manufac.
turers Of Durham. Certainly wages
are higher in some other places, but
this is because labor is organized and
united, and labor organizations are
not used as political machines and
stepping stones for designing dema-
gogues. We can never hope to ac-
compIish any permanent and sab.
stantial good for the toilars, until we
discard the office.seeker, and devote
our energies to the industrial and
moral elevation of the workingmen.
In Justice to myself, and as an ex
tenuation Of my errors, / would res.
pectfully submit, that in all my
writings have presented facts only
as they have been represented to me
by parties who, as soon as | got my
self into trouble in vindicatlng their
interests. were among the first to as
perse my motives and assail my re-
putation, in order to cover their own
cowardly completely. l can see
clearly now, that my pen has been
used as medium for the ventilation
Of personal spleens and to CRAFTY the
penurious acrimony of chronic grow.
lers, who never had the true interests
Of labor at heart, but who are verify
the Hamans the Judases and the |
Benedict Arnolds in the great indus.
trial reformation of the present age.
The reflection or source of'pro,
found humiliation and modification
10 me, that my humble talents have |
been used through the subtle and in
cant and hipocricy of lf.
boris worst enemies, In assailing the
reputation and interests Of those who |
have been the real benefactors of the |
poor aud oppressed in our com.
Inunity. Influenced by representa- |
lions made to me, and with implicit
confidence in the veracity and honor
DR. my informants, / have sought TO
expose wrongs, actuated by an honest
and sincere desire, to amellorate the |
,u8erings of the oppressed aud not
BY an inglorious intent to injure the |
q outstion and basiness ofp, rsons and
corporations who have beenrepresen-
ed as avaricious and heartless shy
ocks and tyrants. My zeal and i'm.
,etuosity in many instances, aided
ind abetted by those who had no re-
gard for either myself or family, nor
ealty for the trde interests Of our
noble order, have silenced the voice
# discretion, and led me into mis-.
axes that were alike incompatible |
With my duty to my family, my
leighbor and my God. Thus my
usefulness socially and relIgIously,
las been greatly impaired, u not des.
royed, and I have been subjected TO
/ cross.fre from false friends within
,ur sacred circle Of brotherhood and
would be friends on the outside. But
thank God that the scales have
allen from my eyes; and not too late,
trust, TO enable me to counteract
he evil which has been wrought
through me by the subtle and seduc.
i've ingenuity Of the devil; evils
which have initiated alike asaipst
he highest interests Of our noble or.
Ter, aud my individual usefulness in
Iociety, the Church and the State.
In this, as we'll as all other artit les
rom INV pen. / have had only the